Categories: Classics

How fast was the Isuzu Impulse Turbo? "950 MPH" said Joe Isuzu —In 1983, Michael Jackson wasn't a pedophile (allegedly), Ronald Reagan was scaring the heck out of communists, and Chevy Chase was trying his best to find Wally World. It was a simpler time back then, and cars were simpler too. They didn't have huge touchscreens, a million horsepower, or NASA-grade supercomputers. But what they had was style, and, if you were lucky, pop-up headlights. Oh, and the word “Turbo” actually meant “my car's way cooler than yours”.

In 1996, Lambrecht Chevrolet closed its doors for the very last time. Owners Ray & Mildred Lambrecht had served the residents of Pierce, Nebraska since 1946, and it was finally time to retire. At one time, this small Midwest dealership was one of Chevrolet's highest-volume stores. Ray would give people his best price right off the bat. If the customer wanted to haggle, he'd tell them, “If you can find a better price on this vehicle, then you should go get it.” He treated people the way he wanted to be treated, and that kept customers came back again and again.

During their 50 years in business, the Lambrecht's put countless Americans on the road, and they amassed a collection of over 500 cars in the process. Like an enormous time capsule, Lambrecht Chevrolet Co. is a glimpse into how our country used to be. And now, all those memories are about to cross the auction block.

“Like a Rock”, “Have You Driven a Ford Lately?”, “The Heartbeat of America.”, “What A Luxury Car Should Be.” We all recognize these automobile advertising slogans. They are meant to touch something inside us and make us purchase the product. What touched the first drivers? How did manufacturers tap into consumers desires when cars were fresh on the market? Today we don’t even recognize some of the original manufacturers but the slogans used are a little confusing and makes us wonder what the early car buyers thought was important. Consider the following taglines:

I grew up on a motorcycle. My father bought his first Honda at 16 and that’s all he rode until he was 50 when he bought a Harley-Davidson. I was disappointed, having been raised to believe that Honda was the ONLY bike to ride. It felt like a betrayal. A Harley sounds different and feels different and I had a hard time making the transition. I’ve come to terms but this is an example of how loyal bikers generally are to a brand. Good news then for Indian Motorcycle lovers. They are making a comeback and will be available any minute. A sizable portion of the intended production has already been sold, sight unseen, so if you want one you better get on it.

While some people argue Summer is the best season of the year, we respectfully disagree. Whenever Fall rolls around, suddenly there is a wealth of things to make us realize how good life can be. Football season begins—and during the Fall months, most teams still have a chance—the leaves change colors and show us how beautiful a drive down the road can be, no more sweating profusely and running from air-conditioned room to air-conditioned car, and, of course, there are the car shows.

If you're a Camaro fan, then you've undoubtedly heard of the Yenko Camaro. A tire-melting dragstrip legend that was born at a time when gas was cheap and love was free. Racing driver Carroll Shelby had started turning Ford's little Mustang into a stoplight god, and Chrysler dealers were equally well-armed with the 426 Hemi-powered GTX. These muscle-bound monsters were specifically made for road racing, and came with almost no options to reduce weight. Chevrolet's new Camaro would also get the Skunkwerks treatment in 1967, as SCCA racer and Chevrolet dealer Don Yenko turned the General's little pony into one of the most legendary muscle cars of all time.

Although GM's flagship luxury brand is still rebuilding its image, the Cadillac name was once a byword for 'quality'. Their cars were cutting-edge, luxurious, and powerful. Everybody from kings to rock stars had a Cadillac in their garage. Then, years of corporate cost-cutting reduced the storied brand to mere 'Premium' status. Now on the upswing, Cadillac is out to show the world that it still knows a thing or two about making luxury cars. Their new Cadillac ATS is often mentioned in the same breath as the BMW 3-Series, and their recent Elmiraj Concept has actually caused people to lust after a Cadillac (that hasn't happened since... Elvis was alive). Cadillac is still very relevant in today's China-crazy car market, and their future is starting to look pretty bright. But let's take a quick look at the company's past, and see just how much they've shaped the cars that we drive today.

Remember Punch Buggy? I wasn't the best player. Being easily distracted by conversation, I forgot to look for Bugs. Depending on the rules where you grew up, which varied by region as far as I can tell, VW Buses were worth two punches. We still play the game, but the double-punch vehicle is rarely seen anymore. That could change next year.

It gives drivers more control over their vehicles. It saves gas. It lowers car repair bills, improves coordination, and has played a key role in the teenage years of countless drivers. Yet, despite all it has going for it, it’s in imminent danger of going extinct. “It” is the stick shift transmission, and its days appear to be numbered.

While every driver knows how much gas prices have risen in recent years, the spiraling cost of motor oil hasn’t received nearly as much attention. This is unfortunate, because oil is every bit as vital as fuel to a properly functioning automobile. One step many car owners are taking to save money is to use synthetic oil instead of natural blends. But are synthetics worth their higher cost? Let’s take a look at both types.

2013’s Great Race kicks off today, June 21st, for the 30th time since 1983. The Great Race course in 2013 begins in St. Paul, Minnesota and ends in Mobile, Alabama. This path takes drivers through Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Around 100 cars are expected to start this race—how many will finish is yet to be determined.